Unlock and port GV# to Verizon?

**sprtfan** · 10-27-2021, 08:44 PM

I set up a GV#s for my kids and they used it on a data only plan to try out. We are moving to Verizon and had some question on how to port the number. I was able to find where I can unlock it for $3 but it says that you may not be able to receive SMS messages for up to three business days after your port out is complete.
I was ordering a phone from Verizon and they want to know the number that is porting in as part of the check out process. Will they lose SMS on their phones after it is unlocked? or will that not happen until the line is ported to Verizon? I guess I'm confused on what the message means. Thanks

**zapjb** · 10-27-2021, 09:33 PM

I'm confused. Are you saying your GV# is locked? Never heard of that.

**sprtfan** · 10-27-2021, 10:56 PM

Originally Posted by zapjb

I'm confused. Are you saying your GV# is locked? Never heard of that.

The number has to be unlocked to port it out to a different provider. You may have to pay $3 to unlock it. Once the number is unlocked, you can port it.
I think I was confused on the SMS problem being connected to the unlocking of the number but I think it is just that you might not receive SMS messages for a while after the port?

**bandoba** · 10-27-2021, 11:58 PM

I recently ported out 2 GV numbers and there was no SMS/messaging issues observed.

**zapjb** · 10-28-2021, 12:19 AM

Originally Posted by bandoba

I recently ported out 2 GV numbers and there was no SMS/messaging issues observed.

Did you have to pay $3 to unlock it?

**GPz1100** · 10-28-2021, 11:20 AM

I think you're better off *NOT* porting the number. Instead, let vzw (or whoever) assign a new number. Add that as a forwarding number to the google voice profile. Configure the carrier for conditional forwarding to the vzw #.

Your kids will be able to text using the gv app on the phone and website (on the pc). You're not tied to the carrier if you decide their service sucks, too expensive, etc.

For phone calls, outbound calls will still have the gv # so long as the gv app is installed. Inbound can either come into the app over data or carrier #.

Seems like more pros than cons.

**sprtfan** · 10-28-2021, 09:16 PM

Originally Posted by GPz1100

I think you're better off *NOT* porting the number. Instead, let vzw (or whoever) assign a new number. Add that as a forwarding number to the google voice profile. Configure the carrier for conditional forwarding to the vzw #.

Your kids will be able to text using the gv app on the phone and website (on the pc). You're not tied to the carrier if you decide their service sucks, too expensive, etc.

For phone calls, outbound calls will still have the gv # so long as the gv app is installed. Inbound can either come into the app over data or carrier #.

Seems like more pros than cons.

You make a good point and is basically how I have there current phones set up. I put them on a data only SIM from GoogleFi for emergency use and to see how responsible they'd be with their phones. This would be a pretty seamless transition for them then.
My main question would be if we ran into an issue, or if Google Voice changed in a way to create problems, would we be able to port the number over at that point? We were planning on getting one of the free phones from Verizon that will tie us to them for 24 months with bill credits. We have no plans to switch so will not be an issue but I'm guessing it would be a problem if we tried to switch there number before the 2 years is up.

**GPz1100** · 10-28-2021, 09:30 PM

I would expect moving one's number would not be impossible should negative changes come to gv. Before coming to cricket, I bounced between several providers yet retained my primary number without any porting.

The free phones are not exactly free. Consider what you'll pay in service over those 24 months.

**sprtfan** · 10-28-2021, 10:05 PM

I should have said "free" but since we will probably be with Verizon for a while and the cost of going from 4 lines to 6 is only $30 more a month total with the discounts they have for having 5 or more lines, it still seems like a good deal.
The problem would probably trying to port in the GV# if with in the 2 year window. I doubt anything happen to GV to make us need to move the number but don't have a ton of faith in Google not to up and decide to cancel a product either

**sprtfan** · 11-01-2021, 10:14 AM

I was thinking would another potential benefit of sticking with the GV# and getting a new number from Verizon be that after 2 years, we could cancel the line and be eligible for the "add a new line" deals that they normally have and are much better than what they typically have for existing lines? Do they have a way of stopping you from doing this? What drawbacks could we run into? Thanks for the help

**Boz1** · 11-01-2021, 10:22 AM

Originally Posted by sprtfan

I set up a GV#s for my kids and they used it on a data only plan to try out. We are moving to Verizon and had some question on how to port the number. I was able to find where I can unlock it for $3 but it says that you may not be able to receive SMS messages for up to three business days after your port out is complete.
I was ordering a phone from Verizon and they want to know the number that is porting in as part of the check out process. Will they lose SMS on their phones after it is unlocked? or will that not happen until the line is ported to Verizon? I guess I'm confused on what the message means. Thanks

It MIGHT happen after the port. When porting, sometimes the routing of texts takes a little longer to complete.

**Boz1** · 11-01-2021, 10:25 AM

Originally Posted by zapjb

I'm confused. Are you saying your GV# is locked? Never heard of that.

That's not specifically relevant to the question, but as long as I have dealt with GV, free GV #s (#s received from GV) are locked. To port out, a $3 fee needs to be paid to unlock it for porting, which the OP mentioned was already done.